In the fifth episode of our fourth season we had the pleasure of speaking with Martin Reyes MW of Peter Paul Wines! In our conversation we talked about:

• The journey to becoming an MW (Master of Wine)
• Being the First!
• Purchasing Behavior in the Retail Space
• Diversity and Inclusion
• So much more!

Martin’s Bio: A first-generation American, Martin is the first Master of Wine of Mexican descent and one of only 47 MWs in the country. With a 16-year career as a respected buyer, importer, and educator, he has held influential roles in many sectors of the industry. Martin’s wine story began with an over-indulgent Parisian dinner as a Stanford undergrad and, by 2003, he was stocking shelves at K&L. In 2011, Martin became the principal buyer for an importer operating prominent wine club programs including The New York Times and Williams-Sonoma. His importing team was profiled in The Tasting Panel Magazine, and he was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top Forty under Forty Tastemakers in 2015. Today, Martin continues to work across the full supply chain, from winery management and production (Peter Paul Wines), to consulting for a range of businesses including luxury Napa Valley brands (Vice Versa Wines, Spottswoode Estate), importers (Copa Fine Imports) and software companies (Vivino.com). More recently, he launched Reyes Selections, a small East Coast-based portfolio of imported wines culled from his past travels. Martin also holds a Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a Certified Wine Educator.  In his free time, he attempts to become fluent in a fifth language and raises his daughter trilingually, together with his wife in Vallejo, CA. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? 1965 Krohn Port
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Thomas Jefferson
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? TASTE! Master Classes, Miningers, Trade Tastings
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Start with Wine now! Buy all of the Screaming Eagle you can!
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Spotify, Discovery Weekly playlist

How you can connect with Martin online and on Social Media: Website: https://www.peterpaulwines.com/about Instagram: @reyeswine.mw Resource Links: https://www.mastersofwine.org/en/meet-the-masters/profile/index.cfm/id/61b6a043-5e4b-e211-a20600155d6d822c http://krohn.pt/our-port-wines/classic-vintage-port/ https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/wine https://www.meininger.de/en/wine-business-international https://www.wsetglobal.com/ https://www.cawg.org/ http://www.viceversawine.com/people

In this fourth episode of our fourth season we had the pleasure of speaking with Chrishon Lampley founder of LCS Entertainment LLC and Love Cork Screw Wines! In our conversation we talked about:

• Never Giving Up
• Paying it forward through mentoring
• Supporting Local Vineyards
• So much more!

Chrishon’s Bio: As seen on CNBC’s “The Job Interview,” Chrishon Lampley is a negociant, wine enthusiast and founder of LCS Entertainment, LLC that features Love Cork Screw wines. Love Cork Screw is a lifestyle brand that launched six varietals in the fourth quarter of 2013. Since its inception, the LCS brand has acquired over 50 locations including, Mariano's, Whole Foods and other Chicago land area stores, restaurants and bars. This rapid expansion is attributed to Lampley’s 14 years’ of experience in the industry, which has given her leverage to develop a keen awareness of what people enjoy and what the market is missing. As a holistic brand, three wine-scented candles were added to the portfolio in 2014 available now at Target locations, including three bonus scented candles. Lampley leverages her platform to mentor young women and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from her lessons and her success. She gives her time and resources greatly to nonprofit organizations through sponsorship and speaking engagements. Lampley has mentored youth through Urban Broadcast Media, Chicago Sky and Polished Pebbles to encourage Chicago’s youth. She is a member and supporter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. LCS Entertainment, LLC is a licensed wholesaler and importer, a certified Minority Business Enterprise and a Women Business Enterprise. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? – The most expensive bottle of Chianti available
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Sade
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Tasting, Social Media, Sommeliers, Restaurants – Touch, Feel and Go
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Stop Overthinking – Don’t take it personal – It will work out
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Old School Hip Hop, Common, Tribe Called Quest, Robert Glasper, 90’s R&B

How you can connect with Chrishon on Social Media: Website: http://lovecorkscrew.com/ Facebook: @lovecorkscrew, @chrishonlampley, and @lcstheloveseat Instagram: @lovecorkscrew Twitter: @lovecorkscrew and @lcscandles Resource Links: https://winefolly.com/review/chianti-wine-tuscany/ https://www.michiganwines.com/ https://illinoiswine.com/ https://www.winespectator.com/glossary/index/word/Negociant

In the third episode of our fourth season we had the pleasure of speaking with Regine Rousseau of Shall We Wine! In our conversation we talked about:

• After the Quake
• Jamaican Bass Player
• Wine paired with Poetry
• Bourbon
• So much more!

Regine’s Bio Regine T. Rousseau is a proud Haitian American poet, author, sommelier, and businesswoman. She is the CEO of Shall We Wine, an event-planning and wine and spirits demonstration company based in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Level II certification from the International Sommelier Guild and an Executive Bourbon Steward from Stave and Thief Society. Rousseau enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with her beloved niece and nephew, and educating others in the art of wine tasting. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? 1989 Domaine Laflaive Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Toni Morrison
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Wine Enthusiast
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Stay the course
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Tracy Chapman

How you can connect with Regine on Social Media: Website: http://shallwewine.com and http://reginerousseau.com Facebook: @shallwewine and @reginerousseau Instagram: @shallwewine and @reginetrousseau Twitter: @reginetrousseau @shallwewinechi Resource Links: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Cloves-Lilies-Regine-Rousseau/dp/1978379382/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531444044&sr=8-1&keywords=searching+for+cloves+and+lilies Corks and Cuvee Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-tasting-with-regine-rousseau-tickets-46167009769?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Purple Corkscrew Event: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/shoppingcart?flowlogging_id=52d63c4cc04f4&mfid=1531443569278_52d63c4cc04f4#/checkout/openButton https://www.winemag.com/ https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/dom+leflaive+grand+cru+batard+montrachet+puligny+cote+de+beaune+burgundy+france/1989/world-wide-delivery#t2 http://worldwineguys.com/ https://www.internationalsommelier.com/ https://staveandthief.com/

In the second episode of our fourth season we had the pleasure of speaking with Melody Fuller, Founder of the Oakland Wine Festival! In our conversation we talked about: · The Exceptional Vine · Inclusion of Women of Color in the Wine Industry · Growing up with a strong Mother · So much more! Melody’s Bio: I am an independent professional wine, food, and travel writer. I write books, white papers, articles, and I engage in exciting publishing opportunities to educate, inform, and entertain. For many years, I traveled locally and around the world learning about wine, food, meeting vintners, and building relationships one sip at a time. I filmed my first TV show at Pebble Beach Food and Wine. For two years I was invited attendee of The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley. This is a tremendous honor and high recognition of the work that I do. On the eve of the 2014 Symposium, I was having dinner with a dear friend in St. Helena. My professor, aka, Mr. Robert M. Parker Jr., who was just one table away, was dining with friends as well. He and I had a delightful conversation about the days to come. I capped our evening by correctly opening and pouring my friend’s wine for him and by accurately blind guessing the four wines he and his companions were enjoying. I am a wine educator, leading a couple of monthly wine tasting clubs and simply being a friend and taster at another wine club that meets every other month. I look forward to your continued support of the Oakland Wine Festival! The Last Five Sips: 1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? The best wine money can buy to drink with the top 10 decision makers in the wine industry 2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Grandparents, Parents and Son 3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Trade Newsletters, Wine Magazines and Wine Books 4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Don’t wait! Travel to Wine Country 5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Classical and lite Jazz How you can connect with Melody on Social Media: Website: http://oaklandwinefestival.com/ Facebook: @oaklandwinefestival Instagram: @oakwinefest and #owff2018 Email: winemakers@oaklandwinefestival.com Resource Links: https://www.opusonewinery.com/ https://www.rombauer.com/ https://www.silveroak.com/ http://www.lobowines.com/ http://www.sonoma.edu/

In this our first episode of our fourth season we had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Pierre of 3 Parks Wine Shop! In our conversation we talked about:

• Rosé Growlers
• Confidence and Standing Tall
• US Wine Culture
• Rosé Wine Club
• So much more!

Sarah’s Bio Sarah Pierre is the Owner/Managing Partner of 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta, established in 2013. Sarah received a Bachelors of Science from Georgia State University in 2004, but decided shortly after graduation to continue working in restaurants and pursue a career in Hospitality. Sarah grew up being passionate about food and the culinary world surrounding it. Prior to opening 3 Parks Wine, Sarah spent most of her career working and managing in notable restaurants in Atlanta and New York City including, but not limited to Twist Restaurant & Lounge, Houston’s Restaurant, Maialino, & Bacchanalia. Her passion for hospitality and her love for food and wine led to the success of 3 Parks Wine Shop. She opened the store with hopes of creating a comfortable, welcoming, and quaint space to purchase wine. A place for wine lovers, and those eager to learn. Her background in restaurant management and hospitality resulted in a wine shop where people spent time, hang out, listen to music, kick back and enjoy wine. It’s a nice spin on the average wine retail store. A fun place to be...where everybody knows your name. When Sarah is not in the shop tasting and teaching wines, or just having fun with her customers, she is learning french, dining at all the restaurants, working out, spending time with friends and family, or planning her next big trip. But usually, she’s planning a trip. Whether traveling domestic or internationally, Sarah is in her comfort zone. To maintain Sarah’s knowledge in the food and wine industry, each year she includes a trip to a wine region spending time with winemakers and local farmers. She is also curating international wine trips where she will be traveling with a group of wine lovers to her her favorite regions. Her goal is to eventually take 2-3 group trips a year! She is also gearing up to take her French Wine Scholar Exam. Sarah has received coverage in print and broadcast including CNN, Thrillist, Eater Atlanta, Mailchimp, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and many more. 3 Parks also recieved top 10 Wine Shops in the US and #1 the South East in 2017!  Keep an eye out for “Sarah P’s Social Suppers” and her thoughtfully curated 2019 Trip to France! The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? DRC
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Julia Child and Michele Obama
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Speaking to Importers, Distributors, Wine Makers and reading Bon Appetit
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Take your time and enjoy life a little more
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? I listen to more music in the morning; Trap Music, Classical, Country, Podcasts (in French)

How you can connect with Sarah on Social Media: Website: www.3parkswine.com Facebook: @3parkswine Instagram: @sarahpierre1 and @3parkswine Twitter: @sarahfoodandwine and @3parkswine Resource Links: www.romanee-conti.com https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growler_(jug) https://www.bonappetit.com

In this our eighth and final episode of our third season we had the pleasure of speaking with Alisha Calvert! In our conversation we talked about:

• Rosé Rosé Rosé
• Somm Slam
• Wince Certification Exams
• Blind Tasting
• So much more!

Alisha’s Bio  Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, a St. Louis native, began working in restaurants in 2004 after studying Equestrian Science and Biology at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. In 2007, her passion grew for wine and food pairing while waiting tables at fine seafood restaurant Oceano Bistro in Clayton, MO. Blackwell-Calvert was inspired to continue learning and decided to pursue a career in wine sales. She began her rep career with Ionia Atlantic Imports in 2012, where Italian wine became a specialty, followed by wholesale distributor Vintegrity Wine & Spirits in 2015. It was in early 2017 when Reeds American Table approached her with a Sommelier position. Reeds American Table, where she is the current Beverage Director, has received Wine Enthusiast Magazine's award for Top 100 Wine Restaurants two years in a row, the single St. Louis restaurant listed in 2017. Feast Magazine has named her a "Raising Star" for 2018. Alisha is a Certified Sommelier and received the 2015 Walter Clore Certified Sommelier Scholarship for top score at the Kansas City exam that July. She also attained the Certified Specialist of Wine certification through the Society of Wine Educators in early 2015 with a 99% score. Blackwell-Calvert is currently preparing to sit for the French Wine Scholar and Advanced Sommelier examinations. In her free time, Alisha enjoys working with draft horses for Brookdale Farms. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? Domaine Romanée Conti (DRC) – Pinot Noir
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Beyoncé
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Guild of Sommeliers Website
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Follow your passion. Save Money – Invest and prepare for a better future
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Beyoncé, Nirvana, Green Day, Alicia Keys, Chris Cornell, Marilyn Manson

How you can connect with Alisha on Social Media: Facebook: @exquisitevines Instagram: @exquisitevines and @reeds_stl Twitter: @exquisitevines   Resource Links: https://reedsamericantable.com/ alloywineworks.com http://www.elioperrone.it/en/bigaro.php https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/a-complete-guide-to-wine-from-the-canary-islands/ http://www.foodandwine.com/wine/champagne-sparkling-wine/englands-sparkling-wines-rival-champagne http://beacontavern.com/events/sommslam https://www.guildsomm.com/ http://www.romanee-conti.com/#/Accueil https://www.beyonce.com/

In this Seventh episode of our third season we had the pleasure of speaking with Dalia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards! In our conversation we talked about:

• Mole and Cabernet Sauvignon
• La Tapatia
• The Ceja Family Legacy
• Bubbles!
• So much more!

Dalia’s Bio Dalia Ceja has been surrounded by wine, food and travel her entire life. She may have grown up in the wine industry but she comes from very humble beginnings. In the late 1960’s her grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, worked in the vineyards and settled in the Napa Valley. With her parents as her role models, hard work and education have been the forefront of Dalia’s drive to excel. In 2008 she graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Marketing & Communications. After graduating from college she departed on a six month “Study Abroad” backpacking journey through South America, learning, exploring and enriching her career with real life experiences. This became the anchor for a blog that she would later launch in 2011. In 2010 she brought her expertise to Ceja Vineyards as the Sales and Marketing Director. “A lot of minority wineries are developing their own style,” she says. “For us, it’s been about family and taking wine to a new level.” And for Dalia, being a Ceja means being part of that evolution, which includes promoting awareness of authentic Mexican cuisine and its subtle, complex flavors—the perfect companion for pairings that yield a new wine experience. “Technology and social media have been a great way to expand our presence,” she says of the tweeting and blogging she does regularly. It is, however, cooking and the Ceja approach to wine and food that continue to be the biggest factor in opening doors. Dalia’s growing role in the culinary world is reflected in the expanding presence of food on the winery’s website, www.cejavineyards.com, and on YouTube, where she has published cooking demonstration videos. In 2011 Dalia was named "Woman of the Year" through the Napa Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for her entrepreneurial leadership and charitable contributions. In May of 2011 she launched her own blog and website – www.daliaceja.com. She highlights her own passions to creatively focus on wine, fashion, food, travel and fiestas! In 2012 she partnered with NakedWines.com as a consulting winemaker and launched her own wines under the La Tapatia wine label exclusively selling a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is currently on her 5th wine vintage. “You’re never too young or too old to explore your passions,” says Dalia, who is grateful to her parents for encouraging her to do just that. In 2014 she graduated from Sonoma State University and received her M.B.A. in Wine Marketing and Business. With her personal flare and her passion for fashion, wine, cooking and travel, Dalia is set to leave her mark. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? A bottle of Moet Chandon Grand Cru
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Frida Kahlo
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Because of her job, Dalia reads to unwind. The last book she read was: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Follow your passion. If you love what you do and have a passion for it, you will never have to work a day in your life
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Gypsy Kings – per Alexa

How you can connect with Dalia online and on Social Media: Online: https://www.daliaceja.com Online: https://www.cejavineyards.com/ Facebook: @cejavineyards and @daliaceja Instagram: @cejavineyards and @daliaceja Instagram: @cejavineyards and @daliaceja Twitter: @cejavineyards and @daliaceja Pinterest: @cejavineyards YouTube: @cejavineyards Resource Links: https://www.visitmexico.com/en/main-destinations/jalisco https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/salud-mexican-american-wine-revolution-180964217/ http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/mrs-ceja-goes-to-washington-smithsonian-shines-a-spotlight-on/article_f67e4b79-5677-5300-b5a6-e2dd32e2149c.html https://us.nakedwines.com/products/la-tapatia-pinot-noir-carneros-2016 https://shop.schramsberg.com/SHOP.AMS?LEVEL=MID&CAT=CR https://us.moet.com/Our-Champagnes https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307887448/ref=sxnav_sxwds-tsp_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3524131402&pd_rd_wg=UyfCV&pf_rd_r=SPYEZHFSHCQD92Y45M9E&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-nav&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=0307887448&pd_rd_w=IqeLM&pf_rd_i=ready+player+one&pd_rd_r=27c82f06-dd7c-439f-9154-ebf2726cd947&ie=UTF8&qid=1521572783&sr=1 www.gipsykings.com    

In this fifth episode of our third season we had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Charles of Charles Wine Company! In our conversation we talked about:

• Being one of 16 children!
• Wine Kits
• Jungle Juice
• Lodi, CA
• So much more!

Paul’s Bio: The Los Angeles-based Charles Wine Company was founded by Paul Charles, De’Ondre Charles and Dr. Cherise Moore in 2012 and launched its first label in 2014. Their dream started in 2007 with a trip to Temecula Valley Wine Country for wine tasting, which lead them to the cellar with the winemaker/owner doing a barrel tasting. This introduction sparked Paul’s interest to purchase his first premium wine kit, which began their journey. After a few successful bottles, Paul decided to convert his backyard into a small vineyard, growing a few rows of Cabernet and Zinfandel. The grapes were crushed by hand to produce our first bottle of wine. Paul landed a side job in the industry and began to work for a large wine producer selling their Boutique wines along the California Coast in large box store outlets. Then after, Paul started his own Wine Broker service (Varietal Wine Brokers) and distributed premium/boutique wines for five wineries. The Team took two weeks to travel across the United States visiting wineries from Florida to California. Then after they started their journey abroad, stopping off in Spain, France, Switzerland, Greece and Italy. They also made it a priority to meet and work with winemakers at their various stops, whose passion rubbed off on Paul enough he decided to launch their own label. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? The most expensive wines in Bordeaux and sharing them with Friends
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Grandmother, Father and President Obama
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Being “in the field” and out there talking to people
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Keep moving and don’t’ settle!
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? West Coast Rap (Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar) and R&B

How you can connect with Paul online and on Social Media: Online: https://charleswineco.com/ Instagram: @charleswineco Email: info@charleswineco.com Resource Links: https://www.goldenstarvineyards.com/shop-wine http://www.lodiwine.com/ https://www.winemakersdepot.com/Wine-Kits-Listed-by-Brand-C39.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkKPVBRDtARIsAA2CG6Fj3IDL-mvsPGl62t4IUt-Mb2cBx7tp44PfEB22_aU26z06Jv_cILEaAqy1EALw_wcB

In this fifth episode of our third season we had the pleasure of speaking with Sherrijon Gaspard! Sherrijon is owner of Vina Sympatica. In our conversation we talked about:

• Bubbles, Bubbles and more Bubbles
• Wanting more hours in the day
• The Vina Life
• Natural vs Artificial Flavors
• So much more!

Sherrijon Gaspard’s Bio Ms. Gaspard is the driving force and visionary behind Vina Sympatica. An accomplished client services professional, Ms. Gaspard has extensive experience successfully developing and implementing integrated marketing and client satisfaction programs. As a founding partner of EOS Ventures, LLC, she utilized her talent by fusing both marketing and client satisfaction business principles, as demonstrated by the dynamic combination of her Pepperdine MBA and highly successful marketing and client services experience. Her work experience includes over nineteen years at Alaska Airlines as a flight attendant where she has been creative and resourceful in generating new ideas and solutions applicable to both the in-flight department as well as the labor union. Prior to this, she worked in the entertainment industry, in the development and production of major motion pictures and episodic television shows. She also has in-depth experience in hospitality, team building and enhancing the customer experience while preserving/elevating brand management. A visionary with a keen eye for detail, strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects on time and on budget, high quality deliverables and customer satisfaction are ensured. Effective working both independently and as part of a team, she has an exceptional ability to build strong relationships with internal corporate clients, channel partners and external suppliers. Ms. Gaspard received her B.A. with honors in Women’s Studies and Film Studies from California State University Long Beach in 1996 and an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business Management in 2009. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? Any wine from Chateau De Gaspard
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Gloria Ferrer
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Gary Vaynerchuk, Wine Business, Silicon Valley Bank Wine Report
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Be Bold and Be Strident
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Mudbug Brass and Celia Cruz

How you can connect with Sherrijon online and on Social Media: Online: www.vinasympatica.com Facebook: @vinasympatica Instagram: @vinasympatica Twitter: @vinasympatica Email: sherrijon@vinasympatica.com Resource Links: https://www.gloriaferrer.com/ https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/ https://www.winebusiness.com/ https://www.svb.com/wine-report/ www.mudbugbrass.com/ http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/ https://www.biography.com/people/etta-james-9542558 http://www.billieholiday.com/ https://celiacruz.com/ http://hillersden.com/our-wines/sparkling-sauvignon-blanc/

In this fourth episode of our third season we had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Rhonda Russell! Chef Rhonda is the only African American woman to hold the title of Executive Chef of Wine Arts, in the US. In our conversation we talked about:

• How growing up in Lake Charles, Louisiana has influenced her wines
• Working to teach kids about healthy eating habits
• Tasting Blinfolded!
• Picking Mayhaw’s
• Lodi, CA
• So much more!

Chef Rhonda’s Bio Chef Rhonda Russell is an Executive Chef of Wine Arts, Winemaker and owner of Taste Collection Cellars. As the only African American woman to carry this title in the U.S. she works tirelessly to not only teach, educate and demystify food and wine lovers on unique flavor pairings and combinations she is also passionate about educating children on the love of good food. Chef Rhonda volunteers monthly to teach fourth graders in Houston, Texas how to cook their own food using fresh, healthy and local ingredients. She also just launched the Taste the World subscription box – a subscription box for worldly wine lovers where she can share her extensive wine and food knowledge with the public. Born and raised in the deep food culture of Louisiana, it didn’t take long for Chef Rhonda to discover her passion for food. Many of her best childhood memories revolve around food and days spent absorbing every bit of knowledge from her grandmother’s kitchen and dishes, lots of dishes. With her passion for food ignited, Rhonda pursued formal training at the Culinary Business Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, earning the title of a Certified Personal Chef. Rhonda then began a career as a personal Chef in her city of Houston, Texas, with a focus on Creole and Cajun cooking. Shortly thereafter, she began training at the International Wine Guild, completing her studies in Old World and New World wine regions and earning the title, Executive Chef of Wine Arts and Winemaker. With her advanced knowledge of food and wine, Chef Rhonda enjoys finding ways to bring out the superb taste in a wide array of food through colorful food combinations and inspired wine pairings. Her keen sense of taste brought her to create her own wine collection, Taste Collection Cellars. Chef Rhonda’s passion is to educate and demystify both wine and the food that first sparked her imagination, Creole and Cajun cooking. Chef Rhonda is a member of the world renowned United States Personal Chefs Association, James Beard Foundation, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and the International Wine Guild as a Certified Sommelier. She also appeared, as a contestant on Food Network’s “Cooks vs Cons” in 2016 on Season 2. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? Any wine produced from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Edna Lewis and Leah Chase
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Oxford Companion to Wine and Wine Atlas
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Walk in your Purpose
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Lindsey Webster and Damien Escobar

How you can connect with Chef Rhonda online and on Social Media: Online: www.tastebychefrhonda.com Facebook: @tastebychefrhonda Instagram: @taste_by_chef_rhonda Instagram: @tastecollectioncellars Twitter: @tastebychef Resource Links: https://www.southernliving.com/fruits/berries/what-is-a-mayhaw https://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Companion-Wine-Companions/dp/0198705387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519146554&sr=8-1&keywords=oxford+companion+to+wine https://www.amazon.com/World-Atlas-Wine-7th/dp/1845336895/ref=la_B000APTSNU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519146626&sr=1-1 https://ednalewisfoundation.org http://www.dookychaserestaurant.com/about/chef http://www.lindseywebstermusic.com/ http://dameesco.com/

Show Notes In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking with April Richmond of Sip and Swirl Events.  In this episode we speak to April about:

• The Non-Traditional route of her Sommelier Journey
• How being a Flight Attendant helped her with the Service part of the Sommelier Exam
• What is the Glamp-Out?
• The Soul of the City Wine Festival in Oakland

April's Bio Long Beach, California native, April Richmond, is the Sommelier behind San Francisco Bay Area based,  Sip & Swirl Events, and creator of some the hottest urban wine events in the country. Prior to joining the wine industry, April cut her teeth in the event planning world as one of the Event Planners for Stanford University where she was responsible for managing everything from weddings and press conferences to Passover dinners and staff meetings. Combining her love for wine and event planning, April founded Sip & Swirl Events in 2011 with a goal of bringing together Black winemakers and wine lover's through hosting unique events in unexpected venues. Since then, the company has created a number of signature events including the Soul Of The City Wine Festival, Cupcakes & Corks, The Mystery Wine Tour, and the Wine Country Glamp-Out. The company also offers Sommelier and wine services to a host of private and high-profile corporate clients including Facebook and Ikea USA. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? A $30,000 bottle of wine from a Grocery Store in Paris
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Oprah
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Taste, Taste, Taste and Wine Industry Insight (Lewis Perdue)
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Keep Flying and Don't Settle for the Boy! Start your wine journey now!
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Marcus Johnson, Marcus Anderson, Terrance Blanchard

For more information: www.sipndswirlevents.com The Soul of the City Wine Festival: https://www.sipandswirlevents.com/events-1 http://suisunvalley.com/ http://wineindustryinsight.com/?page_id=2 Social Media: Instagram and Facebook: @sipandswirlevents

In Part 2 of our second episode of Season 3 we continue talking to Dottie about wine, wine and more wine!! Dorothy’s Bio Dorothy J. Gaiter conceived and wrote The Wall Street Journal’s wine column, “Tastings,” from 1998 to 2010 with her husband, John Brecher. She has been tasting and studying wine since 1973. She has had a distinguished career in journalism as a reporter, editor, columnist and editorial writer at The Miami Herald and The New York Times as well as at The Journal. Dottie and John are well-known from their many television appearances, especially on Martha Stewart’s show, and as the creators of the annual “Open That Bottle Night” celebration of wine and friendship, the last Saturday in February. The first bottle they shared was André Cold Duck. We were wine lovers and students of wine for 25 years before we wrote a single word about our very private passion. So it’s still amazing to us to read something like this about ourselves, from George M. Taber’s book, “To Cork or Not to Cork”: “Wine retailers say that they have the greatest impact of any wine critics. After they recommend a wine, it’s hard to keep it in stock.” Or this, from Randall Rothenberg in Advertising Age: “These wine writers have managed to accomplish something most journalists — hell, most businesspeople — can only dream of: creating a bond with their audience.” We certainly couldn’t have imagined being a question on “Jeopardy.” Or having a top-selling wine book. Or Charles Osgood, who called us “the first couple of wine,” interviewing us in our sub-freezing home and getting our electricity restored. Dorothy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1973 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism for which she gave the commencement address in its centennial year. With her husband, she wrote four books, including “The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine: New and Improved,” “Wine for Every Day and Every Occasion: Red, White and Bubbly to Celebrate the Joy of Living,” and “Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes From a Marriage.” The Journal nominated Tastings for a Pulitzer Prize. Dorothy and her husband have two daughters who have Bachelor’s degrees. While a student at the University of Missouri, Gaiter served as one of the founding editors of Blackout, a newspaper published by the University of Missouri’s African-American students. Following graduation, Gaiter worked as a reporter at the Miami Herald and an editor at the Miami News before joining The New York Times as a reporter for the week in review section, the metro desk and the style section. In 1984, Gaiter returned to the Miami Herald, where she became the paper’s first African-American female editorial writer and regular Op-Ed columnist. In 1990, Gaiter became a reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Manhattan and by 1996 she had become the Journal’s national news editor in charge of race and urban affairs coverage. Her writing on race was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and she won awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York and the National Association of Black Journalists. In 1998, when the Journal launched its Weekend Edition, Gaiter and Brecher, the Journal’s Page One Editor, added the wine column to their regular duties. They became full-time wine columnists in 2000. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? Would experience something she has never tasted before in a Nebuchadnezzar (a single bottle that holds 20 bottles of wine)
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Her Parents
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Taste, Taste, Taste, The Grape Collective (link below), Seven Fifty (link below), Wall Street Journal
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Spend time developing and maintaining friendships
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Zoe Brecher, Miles Davis, Bill Evans

How you can connect with Dottie online and on Social Media: Facebook: @winecouple Online: www.grapecollective.com Email: djgaiter9@aol.com Resource Links: www.grapecollective.com https://daily.sevenfifty.com/ http://www.juliaconey.com/blog/2018/1/3/your-wine-glass-ceiling-is-my-wine-glass-box-an-open-letter-to-karen-macneil-and-the-wine-industry http://www.paumanok.com/history.html Books: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dorothy+gaiter&sprefix=dorothy+gai%2Caps%2C193&crid=8BC12QHHIFEO

Show Notes: In this second episode of our third season we had the honor of speaking with Dorothy Gaiter! Dorothy and her husband John have been studying and tasting wine for 45 years!!! In our conversation we talked about:

• Writing about Race and Race Relations throughout her career in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s
• How wine became a respite
• The first bottle of wine that she shared with her love, John, on their first date
• Napa and Sonoma, how they have changed
• Champagne and Train Travel
• One of the many books she and John wrote, Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes From a Marriage
• So much more!

Dorothy’s Bio Dorothy J. Gaiter conceived and wrote The Wall Street Journal's wine column, "Tastings," from 1998 to 2010 with her husband, John Brecher. She has been tasting and studying wine since 1973. She has had a distinguished career in journalism as a reporter, editor, columnist and editorial writer at The Miami Herald and The New York Times as well as at The Journal. Dottie and John are well-known from their many television appearances, especially on Martha Stewart's show, and as the creators of the annual "Open That Bottle Night" celebration of wine and friendship, the last Saturday in February. The first bottle they shared was André Cold Duck. We were wine lovers and students of wine for 25 years before we wrote a single word about our very private passion. So it’s still amazing to us to read something like this about ourselves, from George M. Taber’s book, “To Cork or Not to Cork”: “Wine retailers say that they have the greatest impact of any wine critics. After they recommend a wine, it’s hard to keep it in stock.” Or this, from Randall Rothenberg in Advertising Age: “These wine writers have managed to accomplish something most journalists -- hell, most businesspeople -- can only dream of: creating a bond with their audience.” We certainly couldn’t have imagined being a question on “Jeopardy.” Or having a top-selling wine book. Or Charles Osgood, who called us “the first couple of wine,” interviewing us in our sub-freezing home and getting our electricity restored. Dorothy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1973 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism for which she gave the commencement address in its centennial year. With her husband, she wrote four books, including “The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine: New and Improved,” “Wine for Every Day and Every Occasion: Red, White and Bubbly to Celebrate the Joy of Living,” and “Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes From a Marriage.” The Journal nominated Tastings for a Pulitzer Prize. Dorothy and her husband have two daughters who have Bachelor’s degrees. While a student at the University of Missouri, Gaiter served as one of the founding editors of Blackout, a newspaper published by the University of Missouri’s African-American students. Following graduation, Gaiter worked as a reporter at the Miami Herald and an editor at the Miami News before joining The New York Times as a reporter for the week in review section, the metro desk and the style section. In 1984, Gaiter returned to the Miami Herald, where she became the paper’s first African-American female editorial writer and regular Op-Ed columnist. In 1990, Gaiter became a reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Manhattan and by 1996 she had become the Journal’s national news editor in charge of race and urban affairs coverage. Her writing on race was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and she won awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York and the National Association of Black Journalists. In 1998, when the Journal launched its Weekend Edition, Gaiter and Brecher, the Journal’s Page One Editor, added the wine column to their regular duties. They became full-time wine columnists in 2000. The Last Five Sips:

1. If money were no object, what bottle of wine would you splurge on and why? Would experience something she has never tasted before in a Nebuchadnezzar (a single bottle that holds 20 bottles of wine)
2. Who would you love to share a bottle with, living or deceased? Her Parents
3. What are some of the things you do or read to keep up to speed on what is happening in the wine industry? Taste, Taste, Taste, The Grape Collective (link below), Seven Fifty (link below), Wall Street Journal
4. What advice would you give you your 22 year old self? Spend time developing and maintaining friendships
5. When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? Zoe Brecher, Miles Davis, Bill Evans

How you can connect with Dottie online and on Social Media: Facebook: @winecouple Online: www.grapecollective.com Email: djgaiter9@aol.com Resource Links: www.grapecollective.com https://daily.sevenfifty.com/ http://www.juliaconey.com/blog/2018/1/3/your-wine-glass-ceiling-is-my-wine-glass-box-an-open-letter-to-karen-macneil-and-the-wine-industry Books: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dorothy+gaiter&sprefix=dorothy+gai%2Caps%2C193&crid=8BC12QHHIFEO

Shayla Varnado is the woman behind the glass. After thoroughly enjoying her twenties, Shayla decided that there had to be more to experience, more to enjoy, and more to share for women who desire luxury in every day living. Whether it's having a glass of wine with girlfriends, relaxing after work, or simply toasting to success there must be a place where both the woman and her passions are celebrated. After an unsuccessful hunt for something fabulous that celebrated her love for wine and connecting with other successful women she decided to create a space that would educate and inspire black women around the world. 

Shayla is a Richmond Va native with a degree from Old Dominion University in fashion and a passion for people. She is a serial entrepreneur, believer, and lover of all beautiful things-- including everything in Target! 

 

For More Information:

 

www.blackgirlswine.com

Social Media:

Facebook - @blackgirlswine

Instagram - @blackgirlswine

Twitter - @blackgirlswine

As a child wine was never in our house and I stumbled upon it later in life during an overnight trip to Barcelona with a friend. Spanish culture and Barcelona in particular has a way of seducing the senses, so I cannot say whether it was the city or the wine, but I do know I was in love! When I returned to the States I decided to become an importer and to learn as much as I could about wine. Slowly this quest to learn as much as possible began consuming all my free time and somehow this still wasn’t enough. I then enrolled in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program where I’m currently enrolled as a Level 4 Diploma student with aspirations of obtaining the next level of Master of Wine. The process of starting Lawrence Boone Selections has been slow, tedious, and at times daunting. Since I knew no one in the industry I had no idea of the normal channels needed for locating wineries or securing wines. So my wife and I took a list of published Robert Parker ratings from Catalonia (even though I’m not a big fan of ratings) and emailed everyone on the list. Only a few replied back, explaining they already had importers and were happy. We then decided to fly to Spain, rented a car and drove to each winery on that same list to try and personally entice someone to take a chance with a new importer. Our initial trip netted us only one very influential producer and two wines, but with persistence over the past year we have added 9 more wineries and 32 wines across Spain and Sicily. While it has become easier for us to find wines to import, most of these do not represent the qualities we seek in a wine or winemaker. Our goal is to find vintners who create wines that express not only the terroir, but also embodies the vintner’s unique personalities and characteristics. We are dedicated to finding the best Organic, Biodynamic and Natural wines sourced from small family owned wineries that are true expressions of their terroir. Recently we’ve also started hosting organized tastings with classes ranging from the basics of wine to in- depth discussions on the intricacies of Biodynamic viticulture. For more information: http://booneselections.com Social Media: Facebook and Instagram: @booneselections Other Links: http://spanishwinecountry.com/ https://www.bevindustry.com/ http://winefolly.com/tutorial/in-search-of-the-best-wines-from-priorat/ https://www.amazon.com/How-Wine-Insider-s-Deborah-Gray/dp/1935879405/ref=dp_ob_image_bk http://winefolly.com/review/what-is-madeira-wine/ https://grutera1.bandcamp.com/

As a Louisiana native, the love of good food and drink is coded in Dr. Dawna Darjean Jones’ DNA. It is as much a part of her winemaking journey as her early experiences in Napa Valley as a plant pathologist working on diseases of wine grapes. Experiencing Napa Valley first as a research scientist helped to formulate her deep respect and appreciation for vineyards and the abundant wealth of grape varieties sown on those diverse soils. Although Dr. Jones’ focus in the early years was on the plant diseases that affected wine grapes, she later developed a new kinship with winemaking. This adventure in winemaking was born of her personal quest for true “joie de vivre,” joy of living!  Following employment with the United States government as first a plant bacteriologist and later a national security analyst, Dawna sourced grapes for her first vintage, a Napa Valley Merlot, in 2010. Darjean Jones Wines is the culmination of an enduring affair with wine, fermentation science and the microbes responsible for the magic. Darjean Jones award winning wines are spirited, adventurous and possess a charisma that will seduce wine lovers of all kinds. It is a small family owned winery specializing in boutique wines from California’s most acclaimed growing regions. The objective at Darjean Jones is to produce wine that imbibes the essence of the quintessential California vintage with a uniqueness of character only achieved through artisanal winemaking.  Darjean Jones wines are produced in small lots with epic intention…“joie de vivre,” joy of living! The support and fearless encouragement of her husband, Dr. Chauncey Jones, completes her circle. The Jones’ travel to Napa, California often to nurture their current wine vintages, but make their primary home in Houston, Texas with their two children Chase and Ava. The best odysseys in life involve seemingly purposeful wandering to a most unexpected and glorious destination. At some point, if we are lucky, we allow our moments in life to merge equaling the entirety of who we are. Dr. Dawna Darjean Jones is a proud alum of the University of California Davis (Ph.D., 2004) and Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (B.S., 1997). For More Information: www.darjeanjoneswines Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @darjeanjoneswines Damien Escobar: http://dameesco.com/ Bordeaux, France: http://ca.france.fr/en/discover/bordeaux      

Femi Oyediran is the co-owner of Graft Wine Shop and Bar in Charleston, SC. Femi made the rare achievement of passing the first three levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers within two years, including gaining the Walter Clore Scholarship for achieving the highest score on his certified exam. He is one of 7 Advanced Sommeliers in the state of South Carolina. He is also a two-time national finalist for the Chaine des Rotisseurs Best Young Sommelier in America competition, and the winner of the 2017 Top Somm Blind Tasting Competition of the Charleston Wine and Food Festival. He was featured as one of Zagat's Charleston 30 Under 30 in the food and beverage industry and was listed as one of the "The Next Big Names in Wine" by Tasting Table magazine. For more information: Instagram: @femingtonsteele Graft:  Instagram: @graftchs Yussef Kamaal: www.yussefkamaal.com Fela Kuti: www.fela.net Thundercat: Facebook @thundercatofficial The Roots: www.theroots.com                

Marcia Jones is Urban Connoisseurs. Marcia has over thirty years as an accomplished professional who developed excellent relationships with major clients in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. During those years she successfully negotiated mutually beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders. In 2011 she became a Social Winepreneur and created Urban Connoisseurs. She integrated her wealth of talent with her passion for wine. Urban Connoisseurs is an added value of sales and marketing for Black owned wineries, winemakers, and/or vintners seeking for further expand their products to the connoisseurs. Initially, Urban Connoisseurs focused on Direct to Consumer sales and marketing through the Urban Connoisseurs Quarterly Wine Club. In the latter half of 2016 Urban Connoisseurs shifted directions and began to market some of her clients’ products to retail. As a wine consultant, Urban Connoisseurs orchestrates the purchase between the vintner and distributor and/or owner. She also helps vintners determine the best strategy to market with brand. Urban Connoisseurs also promotes these vintners through tasting events and tourism. Marcia is working on her first book about the history and present day African Americans in the wine industry. She is also developing a fund to provide scholarships to African American students who want to begin a career in the wine industry. Additionally, beginning fall 2017 Urban Connoisseurs will begin filming the first ever documentary highlighting the lives of six Black Winemakers. Marcia is currently bi-coastal. She shares her time between the east and west coast, spending much of her time with winemakers to better understand their wines and their visions.   For more information: www.urbanconnoisseurs.com http://www.urbanconnoisseurs.com/the-black-winemakers-story.html http://www.urbanconnoisseurs.com/reserve-your-bottle.html https://marionmeadows.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4134656/ Social Media Instagram - @wine_talk_marcia Facebook - @urbanconnoisseurs  

Shae Frichette is Co-owner of Frichette Winery, a limited production winery and tasting room in the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State, USA. As a minority business owner in the Washington wine industry and with her background in leadership, Shae has been provided opportunities to speak at various events sharing her story and skill sets. Shae has completed Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2, is the 2015 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient, a recipient of the 2015 Entrepreneurial Award, 2015 Young Professional Award recipient and graduate of the Leadership Tri- Cities Class XX. Shae serves on the Board of Directors for the Red Mountain AVA Alliance, Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tri-Cities and is a mentor with eMERGE, a STEM based leadership program for girls. She is an active volunteer with the American Heart Association hosting an annual fundraising and awareness event and also founded the Benton Cities Wineries Giving Garden Project where more than a dozen wineries grow food and provide financial donations to the local food bank. In addition, she serves on an Advisory Board for the UW Foster School of Business. As a community advocate, Shae volunteers by sharing wine and wine education for more than twenty non-profits in the Tri- Cities area each year. Prior to starting Frichette Winery, Shae lead the Organizational Development Function for Stanley Black & Decker - HHI where she designed Leadership Development Programs for associates in four countries. She served as the emcee and facilitator for business conventions and hosted video communications for the organization. Today, in addition to running the daily business of Frichette Winery, Shae speaks at conferences and events on topics such as networking, providing stellar service and teambuilding. Shae holds a B.A. in Theatre from Winthrop University in South Carolina, leadership and facilitator certifications from Franklin Covey, Ken Blanchard and Achieve Global and has the distinction of the CPCC from Coaches Training Institute. She loves spending time with her family, enjoying a glass of wine and writing. For more information, follow Shae at: http://frichettewinery.com/ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - @frichettewinery Taste Washington: http://tastewashington.org/      

 

Yes Way Rosè Rosè All Day Whatever you say, I love Rosè!!!!!! In this episode we give you the ins and outs of this luscious wine, from its history to the accidental creation of White Zinfandel.  Yes, White Zinfandel is Rosè! Let's take our wine snob hats off!! We hope you enjoy this episode!  Check out the links below to get more info on the Rosè that we are guzzling!! Annibals Rose - https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/annibals+cuvee+suivez+moi+jeune+homme+rose+coteaux+varois+provence+france/1/usa Bourgeois - https://moutonnoirwines.com/wines#/bourgeois/ Love Drunk - https://moutonnoirwines.com/wines#/love-drunk-rose/ Summer In A Bottle - http://store.wolffer.com/summer-in-a-bottle-white--2016-p626.aspx Muga Rose - http://www.wine.com/v6/Bodegas-Muga-Rioja-Rosado-2016/wine/176098/Detail.aspx Liquid Geography - https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/liquid+geography+rose+bullas+murcia+spain Liquid Farm Rose - http://www.liquidfarm.com/product/2016-Ros--Mourv-dre1?pageID=0F8C64CF-CA25-0C9F-9957-FDFFABF32197&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&

Let's talk about Moscato!!!!!

Winemaker/Founder Phil Long of Longevity Wines, began his journey making wine in the garage with his wife Debora.  Now with over a decade of winemaking experience, and a list of awards too long to print, Winemaker Phil continues his journey with the constant of always improving in place.  "In the business of winemaking, the minute you think you know it all, it's time to get out." The cellar practices and techniques that Phil uses in the production of wine are constantly re-evaluated and improved, to ultimately elevate the quality of the wines produced.  The grapes are personally sourced and chosen by Phil.  "Great wine starts with great fruit, there is no way around that."  Grapes are sourced from only the best vineyards for use in the production of Longevity Wines.  Phil began making wine in the Livermore Valley in 2006 under the Longevity label, using other facilities.  It was only a matter of time before production was moved from other facilities to Longevity's own facility in Livermore.  Yearly production has grown from 500 cases per year, to the current production of 2500 cases per year.  Phil enjoys the challenge of making many different wines, and continues to strive for wines that are high in quality instead of high quantities. For more information: www.longevitywines.com Instagram: @longevity_wines Facebook: @LongevityWines Twitter: @longevitywines Pinterest: @longevitywines